DSLR Newbie Question D40/Alpha 200/or E-330

[ajwray]

I have been using the Sony DSC-H10 for about a year now and for the last six months have been studying and learning and think I am ready to make the move to an entry DSLR. I had it narrowed to the D40 or the Alpha 200 but today the BB outlet has the Olympus E-330 for 449 which seems like a good deal. Any advice for this newbie?

I did check out the E-330 thread here as well and there were some good answers but a little dated.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Have you checked out DPReview?

It's hard to recommend any camera without knowing what kind of photos you are looking to capture, and what features are important to you.

The Oly is smaller than the other 2 cams you mentioned, and also has noisier mid and high ISO.

$449 seems kind of pricey for the E330.

 

[996GT2]

$449 is definitely too pricey for an E-330. The E-330 is old tech in the camera world, and newer cameras have much more to offer.

For about the same money you would be much better off getting a Nikon D40 kit or Canon Rebel XS kit with the new image stabilized 18-55mm lens.

 

[ajwray]

Thanks for the feedback both of you. Mostly looking to improve photos in an indoor setting with low light and my kids are starting to get into more sports now so I want to capture some better moving shots.

So scratching the E330 off the list it's down to the alpha or the d40. Thanks!

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: ajwray
Thanks for the feedback both of you. Mostly looking to improve photos in an indoor setting with low light and my kids are starting to get into more sports now so I want to capture some better moving shots.

So scratching the E330 off the list it's down to the alpha or the d40. Thanks!

Any particular reason just those 2 are contenders?

Between the 2, I'd go for the Sony. Image stabilization is a beautiful thing. It's "newer tech". If you do much cropping, 10mp gives you more latitude than 6mp (D40).

From what I understand, the D40 is more "beginner friendly", and has better jpeg output.

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: ajwrayAny advice for this newbie?

How serious are you at learning\getting into photography? This can become an expensive hobby, once you start you quickly get overtaken by Lens Lust.

Do you mind buying used or refurbished?

 

[ElFenix]

i'd go with a 420 over a 330, if only for better support right now. i'll bet batteries for the 330 are few and far between.

 

[ajwray]

How serious are you at learning\getting into photography? This can become an expensive hobby, once you start you quickly get overtaken by Lens Lust.

I don't know about how serious but my personality is such that when I start something I want to learn it the right way and move up progressivley. Skiing, black belt, etc.

As for used/refurb, I am the king of refurb. I have a refurb zune, ipod, iphone, sharp lcd from hot deals, etc.

 

[ajwray]

I have always had good luck with Sony so that is the reason for that. I have had to recently bury my DSC-V1. I have a DSC-H10 and a DSC w120 so it just seemed natural.

The D40 has had some nice review on dpreview and steve's so that is why I was looking at that and the price at Costco ($399) seemed to be a good pricepoint.

 

[PurdueRy]

Sony also has higher noise compared to Canon or Nikon. If your really into low light shots I would take that into consideration...

 

[ajwray]

Sony also has higher noise compared to Canon or Nikon. If your really into low light shots I would take that into consideration...

That's probably what I like the least about my H-10 when using manual settings. I know you can't compare the alpha and the H-10 but good to know.

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: ajwray
I don't know about how serious but my personality is such that when I start something I want to learn it the right way and move up progressivley. Skiing, black belt, etc.

As for used/refurb, I am the king of refurb. I have a refurb zune, ipod, iphone, sharp lcd from hot deals, etc.

LMAO, king of refurb.

Recertified D40X for only $269.

Throw in the new 35mm F/1.8 ($199) and you've got a nice little low light machine. And if you really need/prefer a zoom lens, a used 18-55 VR/non-VR can be found for less than $100.

Not that I'm pushing the Nikon, it was posted here in the Deals section. Just about any entry level DSL-R can produce wonderful images in the right hands.

 

[shortylickens]

I would go with the D40x from Newegg.
I got the D40 recently and paid $369 but it included a basic 18-55mm lens.

The D40x is superior in every way.

 

[996GT2]

Also, if you can find a D40x kit that includes the 18-55mm VR lens, go for that. The VR is better optically than the standard Nikkor 18-55, and is also optically stabilized with 2-3 stops of effective stabilization (meaning you can shoot with much slower shutter speeds and still get a sharp shot).

 

[jpeyton]

I'm a bokeh nut, so I'd get a D40 with the new AF-S 35mm f/1.8.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Sony also has higher noise compared to Canon or Nikon. If your really into low light shots I would take that into consideration...

Get Noise Ninja if it's really a problem. Overblown issue from what I've heard from current Sony owners -- my A700 doesn't have any noise issues.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Sony also has higher noise compared to Canon or Nikon. If your really into low light shots I would take that into consideration...

Get Noise Ninja if it's really a problem. Overblown issue from what I've heard from current Sony owners -- my A700 doesn't have any noise issues.

It's a fair point for someone who is really concerned with low light shots. High ISO performance is critical there and it's definitely below the competition. Noise ninja works but at the expense of fine detail. Will the OP care? That's up to him.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

The Sony does benefit from in-body IS, which will help reduce noise by allowing the photographer to use a lower ISO. Of course, IS will only help if the subject is still.

 

[extra]

Yeah do that d40x... or a newer oly.. or

Go get a canon xs damnit! With IS kit lens.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Heck, for under $500 you can get a Pentax K2000 (K-m), 18-55 kit lens, and a flash (although it doesn't tilt/swivel).

 

[Heidfirst]

A200 over a D40 any day of the week.
Sony's jpeg engine is noisier at high ISOs but shoot RAW instead & it's not a problem.

 

[ajwray]

Okay so in the end it came down to the D40X from newegg or the A200. I went with the A200 deal through the Sony Card for $317. Lord knows that I was one click away from doing the D40X deal but the whole warranty issue was gnawing at me. Once I dropped my v-1 and sony had it fixed with no questions asked and the service center for the northeast is like 10 minutes from my house. So I'll try the 200 and see where it leads me. The suggestions about noise ninja and RAW images also were helpful. Gazelle's input on the IS for Sony was good as well.

I've been around the board for a long time but haven't participated as much as I could have and hopefully I will stay on this particular forum more and give back.

Thanks to everyone who gave some input to the deal.

AJ

 

[shortylickens]

Am sorry ajwray picked the Sony over the Nikon if warranty was his concern. I am afraid he may find the Sony camera will actually need its warranty on a regular basis.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
Am sorry ajwray picked the Sony over the Nikon if warranty was his concern. I am afraid he may find the Sony camera will actually need its warranty on a regular basis.

Thanks for the insightful, helpful post!

The one Sony warranty experience I had (a P&S) was outstanding. Sony paid shipping both ways and had my camera back to me in 2 weeks.

Ajwray, congrats on the great deal!

 

[episodic]

Nikon D40 does not have DOF preview or exposure bracketing - just so you know. . .